MTS-S01Every scale is built from just two kinds of steps.
Lesson 1 of 12 · MTS-S01
Steps: Small and Big
Every scale is built from just two kinds of steps.
15 minOpen lesson
Category · Scales & Modes
Scales & Modes
Twelve friendly lessons, in order — from your very first half step to the modes and transposing for saxophone. Plain words, one small step at a time.
Your learning path
12 lessonsScales & Modes
Twelve short lessons, in order. Start at lesson 1 and take one small step at a time.
MTS-S02Twelve notes, one small step at a time.
Lesson 2 of 12 · MTS-S02
The Chromatic Staircase
Twelve notes, one small step at a time.
18 minOpen lesson
MTS-S03The happy-sounding pattern: big, big, small, big, big, big, small.
Lesson 3 of 12 · MTS-S03
Your First Major Scale
The happy-sounding pattern: big, big, small, big, big, big, small.
22 minOpen lesson
MTS-S04Same pattern, new starting note.
Lesson 4 of 12 · MTS-S04
Major Scales in New Keys
Same pattern, new starting note.
28 minOpen lesson
MTS-S05One friendly map for all twelve keys.
Lesson 5 of 12 · MTS-S05
The Circle of Fifths
One friendly map for all twelve keys.
30 minOpen lesson
MTS-S06Every major key has a quieter cousin.
Lesson 6 of 12 · MTS-S06
The Relative Minor
Every major key has a quieter cousin.
26 minOpen lesson
MTS-S07Two small changes that give minor its drama.
Lesson 7 of 12 · MTS-S07
Harmonic & Melodic Minor
Two small changes that give minor its drama.
32 minOpen lesson
MTS-S08Five notes that never sound wrong.
Lesson 8 of 12 · MTS-S08
Pentatonic: The Five-Note Scale
Five notes that never sound wrong.
30 minOpen lesson
MTS-S09Dreamy colors beyond major and minor.
Lesson 9 of 12 · MTS-S09
Whole-Tone & Mixed Scales
Dreamy colors beyond major and minor.
28 minOpen lesson
MTS-S10Enharmonics made simple.
Lesson 10 of 12 · MTS-S10
Same Sound, Two Names
Enharmonics made simple.
20 minOpen lesson
MTS-S11Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian - old scales, fresh sounds.
Lesson 11 of 12 · MTS-S11
Meet the Modes
Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian - old scales, fresh sounds.
40 minOpen lesson
MTS-S12Why your C is not the piano's C - and what to do about it.
Lesson 12 of 12 · MTS-S12
Transposing for Saxophone
Why your C is not the piano's C - and what to do about it.
35 minOpen lesson
Curriculum
0 lessonsFeatured lessons
What you'll gain
Skills that move the needle on every solo.
Each lesson is paced for working musicians — short enough to fit into a practice routine, deep enough to change how you hear and play.
- Understand how every scale is built from small and big steps
- Read any key signature with the circle of fifths as your map
- Play major, minor, pentatonic and whole-tone scales with confidence
- Tell Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian apart by their color note
- Transpose a melody so your saxophone matches a piano or a singer
Ready to internalize the modes?
Join the full music theory curriculum and move from naming scales to playing them with intention.